''The TV Dinner Hour'' is an American sketch comedy review written by Richard O’Donnell, directed by

Amy McKenzie Amy McKenzie (born August 2, 1959) is an American producer, director, and actress. She is one of the founders of the New Age Vaudeville theatre company and the Third Avenue Playhouse. Biography Career McKenzie has worked and lived in Seattle, ...

, and performed by the

New Age Vaudeville New Age Vaudeville was an American professional theater troupe founded by Richard O'Donnell (playwright), Richard O'Donnell and Amy McKenzie, and was part of the Chicago comedy boom of the 1980s. History Peninsula Players' Comedy Cabaret In New ...

theater company in Chicago.

History

Glidden Lodge resort

''The TV Dinner Hour'', has a book, music, and lyrics by Richard O'Donnell. In the summer of 1986, it was originally produced and staged by Amy McKenzie, and featured the

comedy troupe at the Glidden Lodge resort in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin.

Chicago, CrossCurrents

On March 10, 1987, It officially premiered at the CrossCurrents' cabaret theater, 3206 N. Wilton St., Chicago, Illinois. ''The TV Dinner Hour'' was one of the cult hits of the Chicago comedy boom of the 1980s.

Production

Principal creative team

''The TV Dinner Hour'' was performed by the

Theater Co., members of Actor’s Equity Association (AEA). The set, props and videos were shot by NAV production designer Peter Neville, and produced by McKenzie and O'Donnell.

Kogan reviews

''The TV Dinner Hour'' had a successful run and was praised by

Rick Kogan Rick Kogan (born September 13, 1951) is a Chicago newspaperman, a Chicago radio personality and a noted author. Early life and education A native of Chicago's Old Town neighborhood, Kogan is the son of longtime Chicago newspaperman Herman Koga ...

of the Chicago Tribune as "...a great show, uproariously funny and searingly intelligent." He went on to write that New Age Vaudeville's talent was in presenting "...such TV fare as game shows, rock videos, sitcoms, kiddie shows, religious programs, and horror movies hat weretransformed into fodder for devilish fun." Kogan continued, stating, "Improv guru

Del Close Del Close (March 9, 1934 – March 4, 1999) was an American actor, writer, and teacher who coached many of the best-known comedians and comic actors of the late twentieth century. In addition to an acting career in television and film, he was ...

had a spectacular running routine as the ''Rev. Thing of the First Generic Church of What's-His-Name''". He also hailed the production as "Marvelously written by Richard O`Donnell and snappily directed by Amy McKenzie," and praising the ensemble, writing, "The TV Dinner hour included bravura comic acting by Megan Cavanagh, Bobby McGuire, Todd Erickson, O`Donnell and newcomers to New Age Vaudeville, Michael Dempsey and Lisa Keefe." In conclusion, Kogan surmised that both productions, An Evening with Elmore & Gwendolyn Putts and The TV Dinner Hour (running concurrently), were, "Among the most polished and clever productions of the season, a pair of devilishly inventive and challenging shows that won over critics and audiences."

Cast

Wisconsin

(+denotes member of A.E.A.) *

Megan Cavanagh Megan Cavanagh (born November 8, 1960) is an American actress, who is best known for portraying Marla Hooch in ''A League of Their Own'' and the voice of Judy Neutron in '' Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius'' and ''The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Ge ...

+ * Todd Erickson * Dennis Kennedy+ *

+ * Bobby McGuire * Richard O’Donnell+

Chicago

(+denotes member of A.E.A.) *

+ *

+ * Michael Dempsey * Todd Erickson * Lisa Keefe * Bobby McGuire * Richard O’Donnell+

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:TV Dinner Hour, The American comedy troupes 1987 plays Sketch comedy troupes Comedy plays